Friday Fave! MAC Blot Powder

This has been in a staple in both my professional makeup kit and my personal makeup bag for my entire career spanning over fifteen years! I cannot say many products last as a favourite for that long.

The powder comes in five shades for all skin tones with a powder puff in the compact.
Light, medium, medium dark, dark and deep dark
I use medium dark and this is the most used shade in my professional kit as well.

I like to apply it with a brush on clients for a natural finish or with a puff if shine on the skin is strong.
I use the puff in the compact on myself and control shine and keep my makeup set all day using this powder, it never leaves my handbag!

This powder is great for oily/combination skin, professional makeup work and special situations in life when you really need your makeup to last without looking shiny.  It also achieves a sheer and natural finish which I absolutely love.

It is an oil control powder that has super minimal colour so it will not change the colour of your base foundation the more you apply throughout the day.  It simply sets makeup in place very well and blots shine.

I 100% recommend this product and have yet to find anything thats beats it.

Retail £22.50

https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13849/301/products/makeup/face/powder/blot-powderpressed

Friday Fave! Mac Face & Body Foundation

This has been my go to foundation of choice this summer for most of my clients as it is a sheer and natural coverage, long wearing so need for primer, and it is super comfortable to wear in the hot weather.

It is always a favourite in many a Makeup artist's kit, certainly an oldie but definitely a goodie!!!

It is a buildable light to medium coverage, just perfect if you like a natural look and do not like the feel of foundation.  It achieves a beautiful skin finish and as the name mentions it is great to wear on the body as well, excellent for covering thread veins and pale uneven skin tone anywhere on the body.

Possibly my favourite foundation ever if not its definitely right up there!

£24.50 50ml
£30.00 120ml
Available in 13 shades.
https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13847/32553/products/makeup/face/foundation/mac-studio-face-and-body-foundation-50-ml#/shade/N1

MAC Veluxe Brow Liner

I am loving the new MAC Veluxe Brow liners!

I personally usually prefer powders over pencils for a natural finish but even I am won over with smooth glide of the MAC Veluxe Brow liner. A Double ended pencil that has a brush at one end to soften the colour after application.

MAC says "The artist's pencil of perfection"... "...powdery formula that's matte and velvety smooth"...

I am using shade 'strawberry Blonde' a great colour for fair brows but there are another four colours in the range including Redhead, Brunette, Deep Brunette and Deep Dark Brunette.

I recommend using a well sharpened pencil for a super defined and professional application and finish.

Available at www.maccosmetics.co.uk priced at £15.50

A recent Bride Naomi

On the 22nd June I had the pleasure of doing Naomi's wedding make-up at the stunning Luton Hoo Hotel & Spa in Bedfordshire.  I am the recommended make-up artist at Luton Hoo (www.lutonhoo.co.uk) so I am lucky enough to work there frequently and it is always truly a pleasure.

Naomi was definitely one of the happiest, most relaxed brides I have ever worked with, which can absolutely be seen by her fabulous smile in her wedding photographs.  I also did make-up for Naomi's bridesmaids, mother, nan and added a touch of sparkle and gloss for the gorgeous flower girl ...so make up for quite a few generations which was lovely.

Make-up brands used on the day to achieve a flawless and long lasting finish include Bobbi Brown, Daniel Sandler, MAC and Lancome.  Hair was beautifully styled by Deborah Dowgiel at  http://www.brideswithstyle.co.uk/

See some of Naomi's stunning pictures from her big day below captured by the wonderful husband and wife team at www.masonphotography.co.uk

Here is Naomi's comment:
"Niki did my make-up for my wedding June 2013 at The Luton Hoo, she also did 6 of my bridal party, they ranged from my flower girl to my grandmothers, they all were very delighted with the results especially as they had not had a trial. My make-up looked fantastic and flawless and it lasted all day. Niki was very calm and efficient and I would highly recommend her. I will definitely use Niki’s services for any future events. Thank you so much Niki!"

www.nikimakeup.co.uk

For all UK bridal enquiries please see www.nikimakeup.co.uk

For all Spain bridal enquiries please see www.marbellamakeup.com

Fast & Furious 6 Premier

Last week I was one of the Hair & Make-up artists at The Fast & Furious 6 Premiere at The Empire Theatre Leicester Square. I was there to create an overall look for the dancers and promotional staff.  The dancers all had a black smokey eye with glitter on top and a nude lip, the staff had a much softer version of this with high ponytails so they all looked uniform.  Products we used on the eyes include MAC Carbon eyeshadow, MAC Engraved eyeliner pencil and MAC Reflects glitter. The after party was at the stunning Somerset House and it looked amazing! It was a long day 12pm-9pm of non stop back to back glamour! So cramped and stressful at points it was like backstage at Fashion week.
See some of my pictures from the event below.

Somerset House setting up for the after party!

Leicester Square Premiere, Dancers

Dancers eye make-up

Action station!

Leicester Square

Hair & Make-up team in action!

My Top Ten Beauty products it would be hard to live without!

1 GHD Hair straighteners, enough said already!

2 Heat protecting styling spray, my current favourite is by Elnett.

3 Creme De La Mer moisturising cream, the only cream to rid my eczema.

4 Mascara. My favourites are Lancome Defincils and Max Factor Masterpiece.

5 MAC Studio finish Concealer, a must have!

6 Bronze eye shadow, my colour of choice.  MAC and Nars both do great ones.

7 MAC Lipstick, keeps my lips hydrated and protected plus a healthy pop of colour.

8 Body shop Cocoa Butter, keeps my skin super soft and hydrated.

9 Mavadry by Mavala, marvellous product that dries nail polish in seconds with a high shine.

10 Nail polish, I have to wear it! Favourites are OPI, Champneys, Barry M and Nails Inc.

Make-up shopping in Vegas!

I have just returned from a fabulous holiday in Vegas!  It is probably no surprise I spent a lot of time make-up shopping while I was there so here is what I brought.

At Gatwick Airport YSL Touche Eclat duo pack, this is always a bargain and much cheaper than buying just one in the UK.  A definite must have product for any make up bag.

MAC Store The Forum Shops Ceasars Palace, this was my favourite shopping mall in Vegas.  I purchased a MAC Blot powder, two lip pencils in 'Boldly Bare' and 'Oak', 'Untitled' Eye paint and two palette eye shadows in 'Arena' and 'Blanc Type'.  ALL are staples for my make up kit.

In 'Sephora' my favourite store, I cannot believe we do not have it in the UK any more... I treated myself to a few products I have been wanting to try. Make up Forever HD Foundation, this certainly didn't disappoint  I LOVE this foundation and will be stocking up when I head to Spain in June!  Smashbox O-Glow, this is a gel like blush which gives a gorgeous natural berry pink flush to the cheeks and Smashbox Photo Op Under eye brightener a really great little wonder product for my kit.  I also got the Stila HD Bronzing beauty Balm which I have yet to test out but will blog this in the future!

The Outlet shopping mall South was really great for bargains, in the Elizabeth Arden shop I got an Eight hour cream for £10.00 another staple item that everyone should have in their beauty collection.

Beauty Advent

A little Christmas fun!  My Pro' beauty and make up tips, a new tip every day until Christmas Eve. Enjoy!

Dec 12th

Invest in a set of good quality brushes they do most of the work for you and will last you years!
The eight brushes shown here are my essential recommended brushes you will need to create most make up looks.
1 Dome shaped soft brush to apply bronzing powder/powder blusher.
2 Base brush(synthetic hair) to apply foundation, to blend foundation or used to apply crème blusher.
3 Blending brush to blend eye shadow colours together.
4 Eye shadow brush to apply colours onto the eyelid.
5 Angled eye shadow brush to apply deeper colours into the eye socket to create definition.
6 Angled brush to apply powder through the brows for a natural defined brow.
7 Angled brush no.2 to apply gel, liquid or crème eyeliner
8 Synthetic hair brush to apply concealer as this will be easier to clean than a real hair brush.

My preferred brushes are by www.maccosmetics.com

I also highly recommend to buy brushes from the following:
www.bobbibrown.co.uk
www.danielsandler.com
www.realtechniques.com